ICT-Hotlist Topic

FindFileExtension by vanSoest.it

Current version

FindFileExtension Latest version is 1.0.0.0.

Main feature overview

FindFileExtension is a program to find files with a particular extension (type) on a disk/folder or share. The output of the program is stored in a CSV file and can be opened in Excel for further processing. Examples for use are: Find all files with extension .doc on desktop computers and notebooks and then collect the resulting files on a network drive. This can quickly provide an overview of personal data files that are carried on notebooks (AVG/GDPR).
Other features:

FindFileExtension requires no installation and configuration

Works with UNC paths (\\<server name>\<share name>)

FindFileExtension version 1.0.0.0 is free.

Contents

History

The first version of FindFileExtension was designed to quickly find Outlook archives or different files on PC's and notebooks a corporate worldwide network.
The program FindFileExtension can be used on the command prompt or in a scheduled batch file or log on script.

Features

The program FindFileExtension is very easy to use, but very flexible.
The small program runs quickly and the source folder can be on a local disk or network share on a file server. The resulting file FindFileExtension creates is a (unicode) CSV file. Every file found is listed together with its full path and file size. This makes it easy to find very large files.

License

The program FindFileExtension is licensed according to the EULA in the download. Read the EULA carefully before using the program. A recent copy can be downloaded here.
YOU AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THE TERMS OF THIS EULA BY INSTALLING, COPYING, OR OTHERWISE USING THE SOFTWARE. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE, DO NOT INSTALL, COPY, OR USE THE SOFTWARE.

Manual

The program FindFileExtension has three case insensitive parameters.

Root folder

Extension

Output File (CSV file)

Getting Quick help on FindFileExtension

By starting FindFileExtension without parameters or with an error in the parameters, FindFileExtension will display its options and a simple example:

FindFileExtension help screen.

The program FindFileExtension requires a folder path for the source files, a file extension (with dot) and a file name for storing the data. The source path can be a hard disk, a mapped disk ( "G:\PublicFiles"), or a UNC path (\\nlaalfs1\PublicFiles). The destination file is created or overwritten with Unicode data. The destination file can be on a hard disk, mapped disk, or an UNC path.

Examples

Just run the program on a command line to see the quick help documentation.
Start the program from the hard drive, for example from the folder "Batch":

C:\Batch\FindFileExtension

By including the call to the FindFileExtension program in the login script or GPO, all Outlook archives can be found on the C:\ disks of all the systems logged-on on the network and the information can be collected on a network disk.

Processing the files for analysis:
By means of the command line instruction FindStr, the files can be easily made suitable for analysis.
Go to the folder from the preceding example and create a drive mapping or use the Net Use command to map an unused letter to the folder share.

By using the "Text to table" function in Excel using the separators underscore "_", colon ":" and semicolon ";", the data is easily filtered to the next result.

FindFileExtension Excel example.

Previous Releases

The following table shows the history of the FindFileExtension project.

Version

Properties

1.0

Initial version
Programmed in Microsoft C# .Net

Installation

Download, unzip and copy the program FindFileExtension anywhere you want on the disk.

System requirements

FindFileExtension is designed for the .NET platform with Microsoft C#. Therefore Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 or newer is required.

Windows Version

Runs .Net 2.0

Tested

Windows XP

Yes

No

Windows Vista

Yes

No

Windows 7

Yes

Yes

Windows 8.1

Yes

No

Windows 10

Yes

Yes

Windows Server 2008 SP2

Yes

No

Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1

Yes

No

Windows Server 2012

Yes

No

Windows Server 2012 R2

Yes

No

Windows Server 2016

Yes

Yes

Support matrix

vanSoest.it will only support the latest version of free software.

Download

Upon clicking the "Start download process" button, you get to another web page where you have to agree to the End User License Agreement (EULA) before you can download the program FindFileExtension

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Just use the postcard icon in the left menu to ask a question.

You may vote your opinion about this article:

Please leave an optional comment or you can ask a question. (Will not be published)

HTML tags are not allowed.

Do you want to receive an answer? Fill in your e-mail address.(Optional)

Topic created

:

10-11-2018

Topic last edited

:

10-11-2018

Scripts and programming examples disclaimer

Unless stated otherwise, the script sources and programming examples provided are copyrighted freeware.
You may modify them, as long as a reference to the original code and hyperlink to the source page is included in the modified code and documentation.
However, it is not allowed to publish (copies of) scripts and programming examples on your own site, blog, vlog, or distribute them on paper or any other medium, without prior written consent.
Many of the techniques used in these scripts, including but not limited to modifying the registry or system files and settings, impose a risk of rendering the Operating System inoperable and loss of data.
Make sure you have verified full backups and the associated restore software available before running any script or programming example.
Use these scripts and programming examples entirely at your own risk. All liability claims against the author in relation to material or non-material losses caused by the use, misuse or non-use of the information provided, or the use of incorrect or incomplete information, are excluded. All content is subject to change and provided without obligation.